Improvement in uterine supporters



Umts Srarss Ari-cnr rines..

FREDERICK REIOHENBAOH, OF ROCHESTER, NEWT YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN UTERINE SUPPORTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 52,076, dated January 16, 1866.

To all 'whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK REICHEN- BACH, of Rochester, in the county ot' Monroe and State ot' New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Uterine Supporters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a t'nll and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part ot' this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view ot' the expanding device in its depressed or non-expanded condition and with the elastic pessary or bag removed; Fig. 2, a section of the same in its expanded state and with the pessary or bag in place; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the pessary or bagV detached; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the key for expanding the wings; Fig. 5, a view showing the manner of retaining the supporter in place by means of the bandage 5 Fig. 6, a view of the bandage and sustaining-belt applied to the person.

Like letters ot'refercnce indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Myinvention consists in the combination ot` an expanding mechanical device ot' a peculiar construction and arrangement with an elastic pessary or bag covering the same, for the double purpose of giving ease to the organs it sustains and protecting the mechanical parts from corrosion and contact with destructive agents.

The mechanical expanding device is ot' the following construction: A simple ring, A, ot' proper size to receive the elastic socket for supporting the neck of the uterus, is provided,which is tixed to two arms or forks, a a, ot' a curved stem, B, extending downward a sufficient length so that when inserted in the vagina the ring shall reach the neck ot' the uterus. This stem slides freely through a hollow tube, O, which has at its top a rigid disk, l), and a similarly-shaped nut, c, which screws on` the tube up toward the disk to clamp the edge or rim of the pessary or bag, which will presently be described. On opposite sides of the disk b are respectively secured wires d d, bent into substantiallyr the form shown, and

be expanded or contracted at pleasure. The wings maybe ot different sizes to fit different subjects.

Over the head of the expanding device thus constructed tits a pessary or bag, E, which is preferably made of india-rubber in order to secure the elastic qualities necessary. The form ot' this pessary is shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, consisting simply of a hollow bulb having an edge or rim, g, for holding between the disk and nutb c, and a socket, h, open at the top for receiving the neck-of the uterus. This socket rests within the ring A, as represented clearly in Fig. 2.

From the above description the operation of the device will be readily understood. VIn its contracted or depressed state, as indicated in Fig. 1, the device is readily introduced into the vagina until it reaches the uterus, when the neck of the latter enters the socket h of the elastic pessary and is raised to the proper position. In this position the pressure on the tube O will slide the same upward, causing the'.

wires fl d to strike against the under side of the hinged wings and expand them, as indicated in Fig. 2 and by the red lines in Fig. l. In this expanded condition the convex wings t accurately the vaginal arch, and not only sustain the uterus, but also the contiguous parts. When fully expanded the screw end t' ot' the interior stem, B, projects downward beyond the corresponding end of the tube C sut'- ciently for a nut, k, to be screwed thereon, Figs. 2 and 5, which ettectually retains the device expanded.

In order to contract or depress the wing so as to remove the device from the vagina, a key, G, Fig. 4, is employed, being pressed against the end of the stem B to force it upward into the tube C. It necessary, this key may also be employed to prevent the wings from expanding in introducing into the vagina. It will be seen that the lwings are contracted by the contact of the two wires df.

There are several advantages in this device not attained by any other similar expanding device with which 1 am acquainted. First, I am aware ot' no other arrangement in which an elastic pessary or bag has been used in combination with the expanding wings for iitting and supporting thevaginal arch. By this combination I accomplish two important purposes, viz: I furnish a soft and elastic cushion for the sensitive organs, so that they do not come in contact with the rigid metal, and I protect the metallic working parts from corrosion and from contact with destructive agents. A simple non-expanding rubber ball would not be an equivalent 'of my device, and neither would simple uncovered expanding wings. This arrangement is of very great importance. In addition to this the special construction ot' the expanding' device itself presents some features of advantage. The wings are expanded by simply sliding the stem B up the tube C, and this tube is so small that in the action no pressure or expansion comes laterally upon the vagina. This is farsuperior to any arrangement in which levers must close together gradually while they are being introduced, and in which, at the same time, the wings are gradually expanded. Another advantage is that the device can be inserted and adjusted exactly in place before any expansion of the wings occurs, and when this expansion takes place it lnay be to any degree or limit desired. The wires df are also simple and effective means of producing the expansion and contraction of the Wings.

In order to sustain the device in place in the vagina, I employ the following means: The' lower end of the tube C is provided with a loop, stop, or shoulder, Z, Fig. 1, and the nut It is also provided with a similarloop or shoulder, m. A belt is passed around the waist of the subject, having straps extending down on each side, both before and behind, and provided with buttons at the extremities. To these buttons are secured the ends of straps or forks n n of a bandage, H, passing' around the crotch, the junction p of the straps being preferably not more than an inch in length and resting between the orifice of the urethra and the anus. Through the portion p is made a hole of suficient size to receive the end of the stem B, with the nut 7c screwed thereon, as indicated in Fig. 5. Thus arranged, it will be seen that the two loops or shoulders l m have the bandage resting between them, and therefore the device will be sustained in place at all times. The position of the portion 19 of the bandage between the urethra and the anus and the short length of the same will permit both urination and evacuation without removin the bandage and without difficulty.

I claim as a great benefit of the use of this arrangement that the subject herself can introduce and remove the device without assistance of any kind. In most of the supporters in use at the present time the assistance ot' a second personis required, which is a source ot' much annoyance and mortification to the patient. This device is so easily introduced, removed, and operated that no assistance is required. When iixed in place it cannot fail to sustain the parts properly, as it is so arranged as not only to hold the neck of the uterus, but also to sustain the arch ofthe vagina. In this manner, by insuring apropensustaining of the organs, the tendency is for them to regain their natural tone, or at least to grow strongerand be greatly beneted. This device holds the uterus in its natural position, which is not done by any other.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination ot' the expanding device, consisting, essentially, of Vthe ring A, hinged wings D D, and the sliding stem and tube B C, with the elastic covering-pessary E, the whole operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The special construction of the expand ing device, the same consisting of the ring A, hinged expanding wings D D, operated by wires d f, the clamping nut and disk c b, and the sliding stem B, tube (l, and nut lr, the whole arranged and operating substantially as described.

F. REIGHENBACH, M. D. Witnesses:

R. F. Oscoop, J. A. Davis. 

